photoman
Daydream Believer
Not really a plan to sack him, I'll just call up in the morning and tell him him I won't be coming back.
I've had 9 lessons in 9 weeks, and I actually think I'm going round in circles, or treading water; some euphemism for not moving on, certainly. He teaches at the local music school and I moved there 6 weeks ago. it's convenient for me, being 10 minutes from home, but the average of his pupils (I use the word advisedly) is about 9 3/4. He seems to think I'm that age too, and is determined to keep me playing "Strangers in the Night" for another 2 years.
It's become so that I can't tell him what tunes and scales I'm practicing (and I think playing reasonably well), because I know he'll say - "you're not ready for second octave D, E and F yet". And, I'll think...I was playing G, A and B two weeks ago, too.
So, it's goodbye to my first teacher and hello to my second - me, for now, while I look elsewhere.
The thing is; I'm not stuck for resources. I subscribe to Nigel McGill's Sax School (mentioned in another thread); I even paid a small donation to come here because it's so useful; I have at least 3 printed tutor books, Stephen Howards manual a new e-Book by Rob Buckland and one on improvisation and a folder stuffed with printed manuscipts.
What I'm stuck for, is direction. A routine for practice and moving forward so that I don;t stagnate or become bored with the Sax and lose interest in playing it. I didn't get that sort of direction from the teacher, to be honest, he seemed too tired to think of something new most of the time.
I think I have too many choices at the moment. I enjoy the blues and jazz standards and so maybe the way forward (until I find the right teacher) is to practice scales and tunes that will bring those interests to the fore. Maybe there's another book on it specifically, or maybe I have tools, and I really just need the plan!
I've had 9 lessons in 9 weeks, and I actually think I'm going round in circles, or treading water; some euphemism for not moving on, certainly. He teaches at the local music school and I moved there 6 weeks ago. it's convenient for me, being 10 minutes from home, but the average of his pupils (I use the word advisedly) is about 9 3/4. He seems to think I'm that age too, and is determined to keep me playing "Strangers in the Night" for another 2 years.
It's become so that I can't tell him what tunes and scales I'm practicing (and I think playing reasonably well), because I know he'll say - "you're not ready for second octave D, E and F yet". And, I'll think...I was playing G, A and B two weeks ago, too.
So, it's goodbye to my first teacher and hello to my second - me, for now, while I look elsewhere.
The thing is; I'm not stuck for resources. I subscribe to Nigel McGill's Sax School (mentioned in another thread); I even paid a small donation to come here because it's so useful; I have at least 3 printed tutor books, Stephen Howards manual a new e-Book by Rob Buckland and one on improvisation and a folder stuffed with printed manuscipts.
What I'm stuck for, is direction. A routine for practice and moving forward so that I don;t stagnate or become bored with the Sax and lose interest in playing it. I didn't get that sort of direction from the teacher, to be honest, he seemed too tired to think of something new most of the time.
I think I have too many choices at the moment. I enjoy the blues and jazz standards and so maybe the way forward (until I find the right teacher) is to practice scales and tunes that will bring those interests to the fore. Maybe there's another book on it specifically, or maybe I have tools, and I really just need the plan!